Ministry takes MW2063 to community radios

Ministry of National Unity has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with community radio stations from the Southern Region to enhance collaboration in the provision of civic education to communities on Malawi 2063 (MW2063).

The stations include Gaka, Nyathepa, Mzati, Dzimwe, Neno, Lilanguka and Chanco.

Speaking during the ceremony yesterday in Blantyre, the ministry’s Principal Secretary Elizabeth Gomani-Chindebvu said government values the important role community radio stations play in helping to communicate issues of mindset change to people at grass roots level.

She said: “Currently, the ministry is in charge of championing the mindset change enabler of the Malawi 2063 [the country’s long-term development strategy] to transform the country into an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant and industrialised upper-middle income by 2063.

“Suffice to say, the ministry cannot single-handedly propagate the positive mindset mentality among Malawians. It needs other partners in ensuring that there is tangible and practical mindset change among Malawians.”

Chindebvu, therefore, said the MoU will, among others, encourage community radio stations to develop messages for sensitising communities on topical and emerging issues in line with MW2063 agenda, promoting information sharing, develop working relationships with government structures and other stakeholders.

Chanco Community Radio Station acting station manager Sakina Majawa described the partnership as a motivating factor for them to produce, package and air messages in local languages about MW2063.

She said the MoU will ensure that people at grass roots level understand the messages and make informed decisions to participate in building a better Malawi.

Last week, the ministry engaged community radio stations in the Central Region and signed a similar MoU with them.